Life Ball 2014: Earthly Delights

The earthly highlights of Life Ball 2014, Vienna's charity ball for solving the challenges of HIV/AIDS. This year's theme: "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Harald Klemm

Celebrating Conchita Wurst, our glamorous winner of the European Song Contest 2014 :)

Hi, before proceeding to the garden of earthly delights I would like to share three quick facts about HIV/AIDS:

1. Currently, a total over 35 million people are living with HIV and AIDS. There is steady progress (also thanks to the Life Ball) in the field of research, education, prevention and medication, but there is still a lot to do.

2. HIV is a virus that can be transmitted by (unsafe) sexual intercourse, but it is not a gay or men-only virus. More than half of all cases of HIV/AIDS worldwide are women.

3. People with HIV/AIDS are often discriminated and stigmatized, which can be even worse than the disease itself.

Hence, the Life Ball is not only a charity event to raise money for HIV/AIDS victims, but it is also a ball for freedom, tolerance, and respect. Love is a bloom growing anywhere.

This year's Life Ball had a wonderful theme again. I especially appreciated the strong and bold poster campaign by David LaChapelle featuring t-model Carmen Carrera in two versions (with both male and female sexes, see below).

Moderation, which was half performed in Viennese dialect, was not my taste however and could have been more "international". The fashion shows seemed a bit longer than usual (maybe because there were fewer speeches) and featured seven shows that focused on male fashion, mostly tuxedos and smokings however.

My favorite fashion show was the show by Vivienne Westwood which had the topic "Alice in Wonderland". And now that I know that Vivienne is a political activist too, I immediately recognized her climate change t-shirts, "Who are our rulers" hats and "frack me NO" pants ;) Brilliant.

Red Carpet Goodness and Earthly Highlights of Life Ball 2014

Photo credit: Life Ball © Robert Tober

"Desperate Housewives" star Marcia Cross.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Robert Tober

Ricky Martin, Livin'la Vida Loca.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Astonishing Pictures

Christina Perri with over 70-tattoos presented her new single "Human".

Photo credit: Life Ball © Astonishing Pictures

Photo credit: Life Ball © Astonishing Pictures

Photo credit: Life Ball © Astonishing Pictures

Photo credit: Life Ball © Astonishing Pictures

Photo credit: Life Ball © Astonishing Pictures

Photo credit: Life Ball © Astonishing Pictures

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Sonja Kirchberger

Photo credit: Life Ball © Astonishing Pictures

Tamara Mascara

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Courtney Love

Photo credit: Life Ball © Hammerschmid

Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Yasmine Petty and Julian F.M. Stoeckel

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Yasmine Petty

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Candice Glover

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Ricky Martin on the red carpet.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Ricky Martin performing "Vida".

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Czech model Tereza Maxová for Viktor & Rolf.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

"Alice in Wonderland" Fashion Show by Vivienna Westwood

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Photo credit: Life Ball © Juergen Hammerschmid | David LaChapelle

David LaChapelle's strong and bold poster artwork. Featuring t-model Carmen Carrera naked in two versions with two sexes, male and female. The beautiful poster has been quite controversial and some even claimed it is pornography, but it does not show any sexual act. The artwork reads: I am Adam. I am Eve. I am me. Words that Carmen Carrera identifies with: “Your gender should not matter in your heart or in the way you express your personality."

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ingrid Sontacchi

Carmen Carrera arriving in Vienna.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

David LaChapelle and Carmen Carrera at the Red Capret.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Carmen Carrera in the Lanvin fashion show with Ben Becker.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Astonishing Pictures

Carmen Carrera

Photo credit: Life Ball © Robert Tober

Most anticipated star of the Life Ball, Conchita Wurst, arriving with Life Ball founder Gery Keszler.

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Jean Paul Gaultier with Conchita Wurst

Photo credit: Life Ball © Ehm

Grand finale of the Life Ball with Song Contest winner Conchita wurst: Rise Like A Phoenix.

All photos courtesy of Life Ball | AIDS Life.

What were your highlights of Life Ball 2014? How did you like the moderation of the comedy duo Thomas Stipsits and Manuel Rubey? What do you say about the Life Ball poster with Carmen Carrera?

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